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tsunamisurfer t1_jd3mn94 wrote

Reply to comment by PlatypusTrapper in Why should wires not be twisted before putting in wire nut? by dhekurbaba

As someone who just rewired and added lights to a bedroom, I cannot recommend the Wago wire nuts enough. Makes everything so much simpler. I even put them in the outlets because it makes it way easier to disconnect an outlet if you have a "pigtail" from the wago nut to the outlet - if you need to disconnect the outlet, just unlock from the Wago, no need to untwist the wire from the screw on the outlet!

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YurAvgDroidGuy t1_jd549nk wrote

And then back stab your receptacles from your wagos. That's easy fire recipe, no matches required! 🤣

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tsunamisurfer t1_jd56c5x wrote

I don't get it, is this a fire hazard or something?

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Sevulturus t1_jd5bhbt wrote

Backstabs definitely are. Not all "wagos" are created equal. So you need to be careful with them.

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tsunamisurfer t1_jd5patj wrote

I mentioned specifically that it was convenient when you don’t backstab ( I assume that is when you don’t wind it around the nut?).

What kind of wagons are a hazard? I’ve seen electricians who recommend them

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Sevulturus t1_jd5w673 wrote

I don't trust the non-levered ones that come with cheap fixtures specifically. Overall, I don't like them on anything that moves. I hate backstabs as a rule, or anything that relies on spring pressure to hold.

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tsunamisurfer t1_jd660zp wrote

Oh for sure. I didn't realize Wago sold the backstab-type wire nuts. I agree the backstab type are less stable. My recessed lights came with one of those cheap backstab nuts and it definitely didn't hold the wire as well. I've pulled quite hard on a levered wire nut and it didn't budge, so i feel pretty good about those ones.

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Wellcraft19 t1_jd5e2t9 wrote

Backstabbing outlets should be banned. I wonder how that ever passed through NFPA. They seem to work OK for some 10 years, then slowly start to weaken, creating endless problems.

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Wellcraft19 t1_jd5ebb6 wrote

Backstabbing outlets should be banned. I wonder how that ever passed through NFPA. They seem to work OK for some 10 years, then slowly start to weaken, creating endless problems. I do understand it’s much faster for an electrician to backstab over using the screw terminals, but ‘fast’ should not be the operative word when it comes to electrical installations. Quality and safety should be.

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Bun_Bun_in_heaven t1_jd63k5l wrote

Can you please explain what backstabbing is?

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YurAvgDroidGuy t1_jd64q1f wrote

Pushing a 14awg wire into a small hole in the back of a receptacle. Continuity is maintained essentially via a spring clip, rather than bending the wire around the terminal screw which is the correct method. While somehow this system passes ul certification, it is not a good idea for many reasons, and should not be considered a permanent installation. Just like wagos. Wagos are great in a pinch, but not a substitute for a permanent connection, if you were to ask most certificated electricians.

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Bun_Bun_in_heaven t1_jd65e1o wrote

That scares me now. I changed several lights in our house and installed 7 dimmers mostly using the Wagos. I cut and stripped the wires cleanly, made sure the wires were all the way in the Wagos and that the Wagos were closed. What are your thoughts, is it safe?

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PlatypusTrapper t1_jd9gqef wrote

> if you were to ask most certified electricians in the United States *

Europe has adopted these en masse.

I personally think it’s just a culture thing. Like plumbers that won’t use PEX or manifolds. Or mechanics that don’t want to work on electric cars. Tradesmen in general don’t like changing their methods as technology advances. Probably because they’re afraid of something breaking and then getting blamed for it down the road.

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